Does your Probiotic contain Lactoferrin?
Probably not, but here's why it should:
Most of us know the many health benefits of taking a medical strength
probiotic supplement, one that contains at least 10 billion CFU per capsule
of Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium bacteria.
But not too many people understand that a unique body protein called
lactoferrin can significantly boost the effectiveness of probiotics. Lactoferrin
is an iron-binding protein found in milk, saliva, tears, nasal secretions,
bronchial mucus, intestinal juices and other body fluids; it binds iron that
pathogenic bacteria require in large quantities and reduces their ability to cause
infections (see Weinberg ED, Curr Pharm Des, 2007;13:801-11).
Probiotic bacteria require less iron and are able to get the little they need from
lactoferrin-bound iron – so they selectively benefit from the presence of lactoferrin.
Since the body’s production of lactoferrin is inadequate to provide maximum
probiotic stimulation it is advantageous to have it included it in probiotic formulations.
Dramatic example of synergistic action probiotics experience
in combination with lactoferrin (Am J Gastroenterol. 2007; 102:951-956)
When probiotics were administered with lactoferrin to patients with H. pylori
infections (ulcer causing bacteria) in a randomized study of 206 individuals,
92% of patients treated with antibiotics, probiotics and lactoferrin had their infection
eradicated versus 76% treated with antibiotics alone. Many other iron dependent
intestinal infections respond to the joint administration of probiotics and lactoferrin also
(see Bullen JJ et al, FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 2005;43:325-30.).
Sensitivity of lactoferrin to stomach acid
The problem with simply including lactoferrin in a probiotic formula is its sensitivity
to stomach acid. It is denatured at a pH below 2.0 which is common in the stomach.
Tests with enteric coatings such as those used for aspirin have proved ineffective
in protecting lactoferrin.
A recent discovery of a bio-gel forming carbohydrate from seaweed (sodium alginate)
that revolutionized the delivery of probiotics (which are very sensitive to stomach acid)
has been shown to also improve the delivery of lactoferrin. This unique – alginate
protected – combination of probiotics and lactoferrin can be found in THERALAC®
(see www.theralac.com).
This probiotic contains 30 billion CFU of five, human-origin, probiotic strains plus 25
mg of bovine lactoferrin from New Zealand – it is protected by U.S patents 7,122,370
and 7,229,818. The standard dose program for this product is very cost effective:
One (1) capsule daily for 2 weeks (the loading dose) followed by 2 capsules weekly
(the maintenance dose). The combination of lactoferrin with probiotics in protected
delivery formulations represents a new leap forward in probiotic technology.
Click each bottle above to learn more about that product.
View our privacy policy by clicking here.